Held in the Savannah Room, at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo Chamber of Commerce executive officer Toni Beatty said the event went really well.

"It was a fantastic night, with a lot of surprises," she said.

This year marks the Rhinos' 20th anniversary.

Photos from the Rhino Awards finalist announcements will be featured in the Daily Liberal this Saturday. The finalists were;

► Excellence for Employer of Choice: Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre, Carlton House Childcare Centre and Preschool, Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Luka Group Accountants and Advisors, Orana Gardens Child Care Centre, The Westhaven Association.

► Excellence in Business (20+ employees): Transforce, Regand Park Early Childhood Education, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts Dubbo, Fitness Focus Dubbo, The Good Guys Dubbo, Quest Dubbo.

► Excellence in Presentation and Marketing: Luka group Accountants and Advisors, Pivot Stone and Heating Dubbo, Kitchen & Renovation Concepts Dubbo, Zumba with Tracy, National Dental Care, Headspace Dubbo.

► Excellence in Small Business: EmbroidMe Dubbo, JLE Electrical, Star FM and Southern Cross Ten, The Skin Corrective Centre, Trike Adventures, Young St Boutique.

► Excellence in Business Ethics: Adventure Watersports, Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre, Century 21 Golden West, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts Dubbo, Luka Group Accountants and Advisors, Walton Smith Consultants Pty Ltd.

► Dubbo's Favourite Tradie: James Porch, Len Darlington, Phil Hannaford, Sean McDonald, Steve Gower, Tim Connolly.

► Service with a Smile: Andrew Basset, Eleanor Seaman, Felicia Battishall, Karlie Stuart, Li-Jan Wong,Terry Duncan

► Apprentice/Trainee of the Year: Codey McGuire, Ayla Barker, Tabetha Thompson, Morgan Whale, Nathan Johnson, Emily Johnstone.

► Employee of the Year: Felicity Louise Petersen, Cristen Clark, Heather Nay, Lee Bayliss, Holly Campbell, Kerry Moore.

► Excellence in Work Health and Safety: Walton Smith Consultants Pty Ltd, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts Dubbo, Regand Park Early Childhood Education, Orana Mall, Dubbo City Welding Works, National Dental Care - Dubbo.

► Excellence in Innovation: Regand Park Early Childhood, Education Centre, Big Blue Digital, Custom Steel Frames, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts Dubbo, Western College, Zumba with Tracy Dubbo.

► Business Leader award: Clare Wagner, Debbie Todkill, Steven Hornby, Justine Richards, Tracy Hanna, Stephen Fieldus.

► People's Choice Award: Dahab Cafe, Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Fitness Focus, Luka Group, Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre, Zumba with Tracy.

► Excellence in Products and/or Service: Kidzoo Playhouse Cafe, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts Dubbo, Big Blue Digital, Adventure Watersports, The Music Circle, Young St Boutique.

► Young Business Executive: Kate Wright, Anastasia Hull, Lee Bayliss, Samuel Campbell, Luka Group, Amy Whiteley, Luke Cameron.

► Excellence in Customer Service: Adventure Watersports, Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre, Big Blue Digital, Crowe Horwath, Dubbo City Council, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts Dubbo, Specsavers Dubbo Pty Ltd.

► Excellence in Environmental Sustainability: Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre, Kitchen and Renovation Concepts Dubbo, Pivot Stove and Heating Dubbo, Transforce, Trike Adventures.

► Dubbo's Best New Business: Concrete World Industries, Carlton House Childcare Centre and Preschool, Design Tribe Dubbo, Royal Bubs n Tots, The Little Big Dairy Co, The Music Circle.

► Award for Hospitality: Dahab Cafe, Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Russo's Coffee Bar, Church Street Cafe, Old Bank Restaurant, Commercial Hotel.

Past winners: